Parker's Playing Time Progressing

[Sons Of Shula]

By Alain Poupart

DeVante Parker has been working on his comeback route for almost four months, and he keeps taking steps every week toward being the receiver the Dolphins saw in his first few weeks with the team.

As he continues to round into form following his offseason foot surgery, Parker has seen his role in the offense increase on a weekly basis and it only figures to grow moving forward.

“There’s no doubt that he’s taking a step forward in each game, his ability level has definitely started to show up on the field,” offensive coordinator Bill Lazor said. “The way he runs his routes is improving. The guy is getting better every single day and I expect nothing but more play, more production, and it’s just going to keep getting better. The guy really is talented and he’s working hard to catch-up, but let’s face it, he’s missed a lot of time and he’s catching up fast.”

Because of the operation, Parker began training camp on the Physically Unable to Peform list before being activated the first day of the practices with the Carolina Panthers in South Carolina, but even then it was another couple of weeks before he could fully participate in practice.

Parker sat out the first three preseason games before starting in the finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 3.

The rookie then played one offensive snap in the regular season opener at Washington, 16 in Week 2 at Jacksonville, and 41 in the home opener against Buffalo on Sunday.

After making his first NFL catch at Jacksonville, Parker had three catches for 46 yards against Buffalo, including a 19-yard reception late in the first half.

“He’s definitely progressing and getting better,” quarterback Ryan Tannehill. “I think we saw that last week in the game and we’ve seen it as the season has gone on as he’s getting healthy, his foot is feeling better, he’s running better, he’s getting in and out of his cuts better, he’s playing with more confidence and we expect that to continue.”

“I feel a lot comfortable in the offense that we have in,” he said. “I’m learning as well. So it’s just a matter of time before I can start making plays with my brothers out there.”

Parker’s teammates in the Dolphins receiving corps all have spoken about the rookie’s impressive physical gifts, the size, speed and ability to make any type of catch.

Rishard Matthews, who leads the team with 262 receiving yards, says Parker has fit in well with the group.

“He’s like one of those quiet guys that once he gets to know you and gets comfortable with you, he has a really good personality,” Matthews said. “He’s actually pretty funny.

“He doesn’t really say too much on the field. But he’s a hard worker. He’s coming back from his injury and everything. Once you get to know him or once he gets to know you, he’s a lot different than everybody portrays him to be.”

As a receiver, the ability that Parker showed at Louisville and in the spring before he was sidelined should provide plenty of optimism it’s now a matter of time before his comeback route is complete.

“(He’s) just a great athlete,” Matthews said. “Shoot, if he wouldn’t have gotten injured, who knows where he’d be right now. But he’s been coming back from the injury. He’s doing great. He catches the ball with his hands. As a receiver, that’s what you like and want. He has speed. He has size. He has everything as a receiver. I see a lot of good things.”

Full Article Here: Miami Dolphins.com

 

[royalshank]

Cool. The way Philbin plays rookies he probably won't see any significant action for another few years.

 

[TKAllDay]

I hate to be so cynical but who cares- lets see it on FN SUNDAY

Signed

A pissed off dolphins fan

 

[nick1]

He got like 8 targets last week and if Tannehill could learn to throw a decent fade he would have scored. I love Tannehill but he has no touch on his fades.

Parker is going to be a beast and he is finally getting enough reps to be a factor. Now just get Philips on the field

 

[psfign]

So, being disgruntled on Sunday, I only saw DP get two catches, I think the boxscore shows he had 5. Wonder if there's a 'highlight' reel out there.

 

[Mogwai]

The most important thing is for this negative coaching situation not to effect the young talent on this team. A future of Parker and Landry is very exciting. In the right situation they'll be capable of extraordinary things.